Dental implants are a common fix to address tooth loss from decay or injury. As the premier oral surgeon in Reno NV, RTOS uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure the success of dental implants and minimize any discomfort. Our highly-skilled team strives to provide you with the best results and complete satisfaction when looking in the mirror.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root affixed to your mouth’s bone structure. The implant acts as an anchor, allowing an artificial tooth to be placed into the space to match your other teeth. An implant is commonly made up of three parts: the implant itself, the abutment, and the crown. Today’s implants are virtually unnoticeable, and offer superior function and looks over ‘flippers’ and bridges.

Oral Surgeon Reno NV

Dental implants are not for everyone. You must have healthy gums and sufficient bone strength to mount the implant. Luckily for those searching for ‘oral surgery near me’ in Northern Nevada, RTOS now integrates cutting edge software and a piece of equipment that can analyze your unique bone structure to determine the best course of action when proceeding with a dental implant procedure.

3D Navigation For Implants

Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery & Implant Center now utilizes the new X-Guide™ Dynamic 3D Navigation System from X-Nav Technologies. With X-Guide™, implant procedures result in less post-op discomfort, faster recovery, and a smile that functions just as great as it looks.

The X-Guide system elevates our surgeons' control and precision throughout the entire implant process, including during virtual planning and the placement itself. Think of it like a GPS for the surgeon’s drill. X-Guide utilizes a 3D treatment plan to provide turn-by-turn guidance during surgery, giving the doctor the ability to make precise movements for more exact drilling of the implant's intended slot. With the X-Guide system in our dental practice, same-day guided surgery is now a reality for more patients. We have adopted the X-Guide so patients like you can receive implants that are functional, aesthetic, and optimally-placed based on your unique anatomy.

How it Works

Consultation

Before your procedure, the surgeon will pre-plan the ideal implant location using X-Nav’s advanced software. Your mouth is unique, so by gaining a 3D view of your anatomy, our surgeons can map out the optimum drill path, obtain detailed nerve visualizations, and even “place” virtual teeth. This equates to smaller incisions, preservation of your tooth structure, and efficient use of your valuable time.

Procedure

During your surgery, the doctor will utilize a small, lightweight X-clip in your mouth that matches to your digital plan with a specialized, radiation-free camera system. This gives the doctor a 3D view of your jawbone, soft tissue, surrounding teeth, as well as the digital treatment plan to follow. The X-Guide navigation technology provides the surgeon with turn-by-turn guidance along the surgical path while they utilize a digital hand piece to perform drill movements.

Book a Consultation with the ‘Oral surgeon near me’ in Reno NV

Medical neurosurgery has been performed similarly for many years, but digital planning & navigation tools now make it even more precise. The X-Guide system allows our surgeons to make the most informed adjustments to account for your surrounding structures. This heightened accuracy results in less discomfort, and a strong foundation for a brilliant smile. If you’re looking for dental implants in Reno NV, chat with our friendly staff to book a consultation. We’re happy to guide you through the process!

It’s finally the summer, and the last thing anyone wants while on vacation or on a beach at Tahoe is to deal with painful dental issues. With some preventative maintenance, you can keep your teeth in peak health for the season and beyond.

Tips For Protecting Your Teeth

Hydrate In The Heat And Limit Sugar Intake

One possible reason for dental problems in the summer is dehydration. It’s easy to enjoy the warm weather and endless fun at the beach a little too much, and forgetting to listen to your body and its needs for water. If you’re chronically dehydrated, the reduced moistness in your mouth causes low saliva. This all contributes to drying out your teeth and gums, making them places for bacteria to grow rapidly.

In the summer, people enjoy foods that are high acidity like soda, fruits and sparkling water. High sugar is also present in ice cream too as a major contributor to dental decay and the need to extract teeth. So if you’re indulging in something delicious, yet sugary, make sure to brush, rinse and floss as soon as you have a chance afterward. Staying ahead of dental problems allows you to enjoy some of the best foods this season has to offer in moderation!

aftercare extraction toothKeep Up Your Hygiene Routine

Sometimes in the summer, we can slack off on our oral hygiene regimen. Keep on track and remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss often and use an ADA-approved mouthwash. It will not only remove plenty of plaque but also reduce the risk of gum disease.

Avoid Chewing Ice

A cold glass of ice water is refreshing on a hot day, but chewing on ice cubes can be enough to ruin that feeling. Ice cubes are tough enough to damage enamel or cause chips and cracks. So while they might be satisfying to chew on, it’s not worth a chipped tooth.

Stay Out Of Direct Heat

A lot of people don’t realize that hot weather can activate any untreated oral infections and toothaches. Even the smallest of temperature changes can affect dental restorations like bridges, crowns and fillings that are cracked, worn out, or loose. It is possible that extreme heat in the summertime can irritate any inflammation that already exists, so staying cool is a good idea overall and getting regular check ups with your dentist to prevent any issues in the first place.

teeth extracted

Be Safe When Playing Sports

Wearing a mouth guard when playing a sport is important because it’s a simple way to add an additional layer of protection when in contact with others. If professional athletes wear mouth pieces to avoid any missing or cracked teeth, then you can too!

 

Our additional tips for after tooth extraction care include:

-Don’t rinse your mouth out vigorously

- Avoid strenuous activity for at least the first 48 hours

-Avoid using straws when drinking for at least three days to prevent the essential blood clot from getting dislodged or disrupted

-Take all prescribed medications from your dentist, like antibiotics or pain relievers

 

As for pain and swelling, you can use an ice pack or bag of frozen veggies to deal with the swelling and can place it along the side of your face. It should dissipate after about 48 hours of your procedure, but if it doesn’t make sure to reach back out to our team for an urgent follow up. The best care after a tooth extraction is to rest and make sure to pay attention to any other aches and pains that may pop up. For most people, it takes up to two weeks to recover from the procedure. Make sure to keep gauze handy throughout the entire healing process as well, as it stops continuous bleeding after the appointment.

Make An Appointment With Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery Now

If you’ve been putting off getting your teeth extracted, now is the time to do so. Prevent dental irregularities and issues like summer-related seasonal toothaches and sensitivity. Make an appointment today.

Click Here to Schedule Your Tooth Extraction

Oral surgery can be nerve wracking for some people. Like any surgery, patients can feel anxious. 

Our team is here to help ease any fears that you may have. As a reminder, oral surgeons have extensive training in what they do and many have performed routine surgeries like it’s their second nature.

Where Should I Go For a Reno Tooth Extraction?

It’s best to see your oral surgeon for extractions instead of your dentist because of the proper tools and certifications. 

Dentists are incredibly important to oral health, and therefore their scope of expertise focuses on exams and preventive care. They give plenty of attention to crowns, veneers, fillings and bridges. If there’s serious issues with a patient, whether it’s in their soft tissues or the teeth itself, they’ll refer them to oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Oral surgeons are trained in IV sedation and general anesthesia, which allows greater pain management for even the most complicated procedures. General dentists don’t usually provide IV sedation and only use local anesthesia for extractions. Even though dentists can remove wisdom teeth, these procedures are not as straightforward because of complications like impaction or potential infections. 

reno tooth extraction

Oral Surgeons Offer Better Options for Anesthesia

Oral surgeons can use one of three types of anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the surgery. Local anesthesia is administered at the injection site, sedation anesthesia is given through an IV, and general anesthesia is inhaled as you lose consciousness. 

All oral and maxillofacial surgery practices are required to have capnography equipment and utilize it during every procedure that requires moderate or deep sedation and general anesthesia. 

reno tooth extraction

Oral Surgeons Are Experts in Their Field of Practice

Oral surgeons and dentists attend the same four years of dental school to achieve either a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons need to attend specialty training through a four-year surgical hospital residency program. This  hard work and experience helps them diagnose and treat dental issues in the mouth, face, jaws, and surrounding soft tissues.  

oral surgery near me

The offices at Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery have plenty of extensive imaging technology for three-dimensional analysis for treatment planning for dental implants, corrective surgeries, or the wisdom teeth removal process. Before booking a surgery, it’s important to schedule a consultation first for an examination. We’re excited to help you improve your oral health through these necessary procedures!

Connect With Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery For Major Oral Surgeries

At Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery, Dr. Redlinger specializes in oral implant surgery. He also conducts tooth extractions, bone grafts, wisdom teeth surgeries, and supports for ill-fitting dentures. As a renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon of Northern Nevada, he will make sure your surgery is done safely and correctly. Our office will work with you to provide convenient financial options so it’s one less thing to worry about before a big procedure. 

Oral Surgery Near Me

Post-surgery, no matter how large or small the procedure was, is a vital step to recovering on time. Treating a dental implant is like treating regular teeth. It can take up to six months to fully heal, assuming that you treat them right from the start.

Our patients tend to ask us this question: do implants need extra care? 

Taking care of your implants is not difficult and it really comes down to how much you take care of your mouth and gums. Immediately after the implant is placed, you probably won’t feel a lot of pain or discomfort thanks to numbing and sedation. Once it wears off, we highly recommend taking any prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter options like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.

Other important tips to keep in mind during the oral surgery recovery phase include: 

Temporarily Changing Your Diet

During the first five to seven days after surgery, stick to soft foods exclusively. Don’t eat spicy foods or drink hot liquids either, or even drink alcohol in the first few days.

The easiest soft foods to eat include yogurt, pudding, ice cream or milkshakes, and cooled down soups or purees. Some swelling is normal after oral surgery, but it increases two or three days after the procedure - contact your oral surgeon.

Dental implants don’t give you the ability to fully chew immediately, so there’s a lot of foods you need to avoid to stay healthy. This applies to not only hard and solid foods but also foods that are a challenge to chew, such as potato chips, raw carrots, and popcorn.

Keeping Up on Regular Brushing

Dental implants are different from real teeth because they aren’t made of enamel or even the thin outer covering on a tooth. Implants can’t develop cavities, but they’re still susceptible to other dental conditions - including implant failure. Experiencing inflamed or swollen gums, chewing problems, pain, or discomfort can indicate that you’re practicing poor oral hygiene habits.

Brushing should be accompanied with flossing, since dental floss can reach those challenging places in your gum line. We recommend using floss threaders for your dental implant area. Just finish the cleaning routine with mouth rinse to strengthen the enamel of your natural teeth, and you’re on your way to feeling refreshed!

Quit Smoking for Your Overall Health

Save your teeth and put down the cigarette – it’s been proven that spending time with non-smokers, in addition to exercising, can reduce cravings and potential withdrawal symptoms. 

Make sure to quit any bad habits that would lead to additional oral issues or impede on the healing process. After all, avoiding cigarettes will help with your general health, even if it’s not easy to quit smoking. In the long-term, it’s worth it because a buildup of tobacco on your mouth and teeth will worsen gum disease and periodontitis, leading to potentially higher dental implant prices and procedures.

See Your Oral Surgeon if Pain Persists

Tooth extractions carry a small risk of complications like post-surgical infections or dry sockets, even if the latter does not occur from implant surgeries alone. 

After a week or two, your implant should completely heal. It can have some tenderness but not any noticeable bleeding or pain. Other possible complications include an improperly placed implant which can cause infections.

Our team at Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery Dental Implant Center stresses that anytime you develop dental pain after surgery, it’s important to follow up with your dentist and oral surgeon to determine the cause. All in all, a tooth extraction is the best way to prevent infections and get back on track to better health. 

How Reno-Tahoe Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center Can Help

It’s never a fun feeling to hear that you need a tooth pulled, but sometimes it’s best in order to prevent infections or worsening symptoms and get you back on track. Another stressor for many is the cost of visiting a healthcare provider. 

Dental implant costs can vary from patient to patient. We make every effort to provide you with the finest care and convenient options after your tooth extraction and recovery. Feel free to call the offices here at Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center to ask about procedures, billing, or other questions about Reno implant prices 

Find Dental Implants Near Me In Reno NV

Dental problems can range from small issues like sore gums to requiring full-blown facial surgery. A dentist will typically perform dental exams and offer preventative care among other dental services. But for serious issues, such as impacted wisdom teeth, a trip to your regular dentist, unfortunately, won’t do you any good. Instead, you’ll need to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS).  

It’s pretty normal for patients to first see their dentist when an oral problem arises. However, when the issue runs outside of the regular dentistry scope, it’s very likely that the patient will be referred to an OMS for treatment. The most common procedures performed by a Reno oral surgeon are wisdom teeth removal and dental implants. But is the oral surgery referral really necessary, or can anyone just schedule an appointment for surgery? Let’s take a look at this below.

dental implants near meDo I Need a Referral to See an Oral Surgeon in Reno?

As with most surgical procedures, it can seem like a long process. Thankfully, you can contact an oral surgeon to get yourself scheduled. This is done for several reasons and will depend on the oral surgeon you see as well as your insurance policy. A majority of OMSs require a referral to provide the patient with quality continuity of care. Insurance companies often require referrals to ensure the patient’s coverage of services and will likely deny paying for things like wisdom teeth removal or dental implants without going through the proper procedures.   

Getting a Referral to an Oral Surgeon from your Dentist

The steps to getting a referral from your dentist to see an oral surgeon are as follows:

Bring up dental concerns to your dentist

The first thing you need to do to get a referral for oral surgery is to address your dental problems with your dentist. Bringing up your concerns will help your dentist determine if an oral surgeon needs to be involved and when it’s appropriate to make an appointment. The sooner you address your concerns, the sooner you and your dentist can find the best solution. 

In doing so, your dentist will assess the severity of your dental problem and whether or not you’ll require surgery to renew your smile. A dentist will easily be able to determine if wisdom teeth extraction or getting dental implants will resolve your problems and will be happy to refer you to an oral surgeon to alleviate your concerns. 

Ask your dentist about oral surgeons near you

To find the best oral surgeon in Reno, talk to your dentist about the OMSs they recommend. An oral surgeon is a dental professional who has additional training in surgical techniques that allow them to perform reconstructive surgery on the face, oral cavities, head and neck, and mouth and jaw. Oral surgeons like Dr. Redlinger provide wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, bone grafting, and even pre-prosthetic surgery. 

Your dentist will offer the best oral maxillofacial experts in Reno for your treatment, so you can trust that you’ll be in good hands.

Stop in for a consultation 

Before booking your surgery with the first oral surgeon your dentist recommends, however, be sure to meet with them in person to ensure they’ll be a good fit for you. Many oral surgery practices are happy to offer a consultation prior to scheduling any surgery. Not only does this give them the chance to examine your mouth for themselves, but it helps you decide if they’re the right OMS for you. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal & Dental Implants by Oral Surgeon Dr. Redlinger 

Dr. Redlinger is a board-certified dental specialist that provides a full scope of oral surgery including dental implants to replace missing teeth, dental implants to support ill-fitting dentures, tooth extraction, bone grafts, and wisdom teeth surgeries. 

Come meet Dr. Scott M. Redlinger DMD, MD Reno's expert Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon so he can develop the right treatment plan for you!

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Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center